The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Western Michigan: a football coaching history

Regional Program II#88 of 138–
See Western Michigan’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
P.J. Fleck
Peaked at National Program III
Built by
P.J. Fleck
Regional Program II → National Program III (+9.3)
The fall
Tim Lester
National Program III → Regional Program II (−6.7)
Right now
Lance Taylor
the 7th-best of Western Michigan's 9 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1962–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)DoolittleUzelacHarbaughMoldeDarnellCubitFleckLesterTaylor197019902010

Every coach

2023–now
Lance Taylorcaretaker🏆 COY
Lance Taylor held Western Michigan at Regional Program II for 4 seasons.
Regional Program II
20–19
2017–2022
Tim Lestercaretaker
Tim Lester held Western Michigan at National Program III for 6 seasons.
National Program III
37–32
2013–2016
P.J. Fleckcaretaker
P.J. Fleck moved Western Michigan from Regional Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
+9.3
30–22
2005–2012
Bill Cubitcaretaker
Bill Cubit moved Western Michigan from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 8 seasons.
Regional Program II
51–47
1997–2004
Gary Darnellcaretaker
Gary Darnell moved Western Michigan from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 8 seasons.
Regional Program I
46–46
1987–1996
Al Moldecaretaker
Al Molde held Western Michigan at Regional Program II for 10 seasons.
Regional Program II
62–47
1982–1986
Jack Harbaughcaretaker
Jack Harbaugh slid Western Michigan from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
25–27
1975–1981
Elliot Uzelaccaretaker
Elliot Uzelac held Western Michigan at Regional Program II for 7 seasons.
Regional Program II
38–39
1964–1974
Bill Doolittlecaretaker
Bill Doolittle held Western Michigan at Regional Program I for 11 seasons.
Regional Program I
58–49
1962–1963
Merle Schlossershort tenure
7–11